Opinion: Leveraging Detroit riverfront to boost neighborhoods

You've got to like any project that entices economic development, improves the quality of life of Detroiters, and ties neighborhoods to downtown and the riverfront.

So you've got to like the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy's plan for the east riverfront. It calls for:

Two new pathways to the Detroit River akin to the Dequindre Cut, the popular pedestrian and bike trail that connects Eastern Market to the water.

Preservation of about 8 acres of riverfront land for public use. The land had been marked for residential and business development.

An eastward expansion of the Detroit RiverWalk.

Safety improvements along East Jefferson Avenue.

A mixed-use development of the historic Stone Soap Building at 1450-1490 Franklin St.

All this is bound to extend the momentum of a riverfront reclamation, begun in earnest a decade ago, that has been an extraordinary success. It would further economic development in the area and offer more ways for neighborhoods to connect to this new jewel of the city.

This may be a rare project that leverages progress made downtown and on the riverfront to help Detroit's troubled residential neighborhoods.

Khali Sweeney, founder of one of the city's great nonprofit success stories, the Downtown Boxing Gym at 6445 E. Vernor Highway, said his student-athletes will be able "to participate in new educational and recreational activities connected to the riverfront."

"In addition," said Sweeney, who teaches boxing to children willing to be tutored after school by his instructors, "we believe the increased access will lead to new investments and developments in the neighborhood surrounding our facility, which is a win for our entire community."

We agree. We hope the conservancy, with the help of the Southeast Michigan business community, can bring its plans to fruition.